Study Abroad Case Study: New Mexico State University

A Customized Study Abroad Program for NMSU

New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Faculty-led Study Abroad Program in Buenos Aires, Argentina

New Mexico State University (NMSU) is a major land-grant university in Las Cruces, New Mexico and the second largest four-year university in the state. In 2009, it enrolled around 18,500 undergraduate and graduate students. It offers a large variety of academic programs from Agricultural Studies to Arts and Sciences to Education, and beyond. It has also been listed as number 16 out of 50 top best public universities by the Washington Monthly.

Industry: Education

Summary

Bridge and NMSU have been working together for many years to provide quality language study abroad programs to NMSU students and non-NMSU students, and have established a strong and mutually beneficial relationship.

In May 2011, through the support of Professor Jeff Longwell and NMSU, Bridge provided the opportunity for students to join a credit-bearing, faculty-led trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Bridge Summer Term in Argentina lasted four weeks and gave students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the language as well as the culture of Argentina. The program provided 80 contact hours of language study, 16 hours of cultural activities and 15 hours of reflection journaling. Students had the potential to earn six credits for the course. Community service was optional, though not for credit.

Buenos Aires is cosmopolitan metropolis, and it can be overwhelming for some, especially for those who traveling to Buenos Aires is their first international experience. BridgeArgentina worked to put together a program that would expose the students culturally to the metropolitan life of South America in a way that they would feel safe and comfortable enough to go beyond their normal boundaries and fully benefit from this immersion experience.

A Tailored Immersion Program for NMSU

A group of 18 Spanish language students from NMSU led by Prof. Jeff Longwell, Associate Professor in the Department of Language and Linguistics and Coordinator of Lower Division Spanish, arrived in Buenos Aires in mid-May 2011. Students were tested prior to arrival and placed in Spanish courses according to proficiency level.  Pre-departure materials and an on-site orientation addressed valuable topics on how to prepare for travel abroad, about the host culture and host families, and how be aware and act safely when moving around the city.

Classes at Bridge focused on the four language skills, but particular emphasis was placed on oral communication.  Teachers were rotated so that students were exposed to different accents and methods of instruction. Group classes consisted of a maximum of four students. This small group atmosphere ensured that each student had enough chances to communicate and participate in discussions and also allowed teachers to be more effective in recognizing the goals and needs of the class and in addressing individual problems.

The program integrated Spanish language immersion, cultural outings and workshops. Students had the opportunity to improve their Spanish proficiency, not only through formal instruction, but also through meaningful interaction with members of the community, both through activities and homestays.

Activities included visiting a ranch in Tigre, a city outside of the capital, which allowed students to experience rural life and participate in cultural activities such as eating an asado and drinking mate. Trips were also organized around the city to visit points of historical and cultural interest.

Students stayed with host families to promote complete immersion, and to allow them to experience everyday life in another culture. Students were often able to connect with their host families in meaningful ways. Student Josh Peters said: “Elsa (my host mom) was absolutely fabulous. She was extremely friendly and dealt with my less than stellar Spanish. She was always concerned with our comfort in her home.”

Results

“Silvia was my favorite teacher. She went at a great pace and incorporated more informal conversations in the class. I found this method of talking back and forth about a myriad of topics to be the best for my learning. It was a much more comfortable atmosphere where I felt more at ease to talk and more interested in listening.“ Josh Peters, NMSU.

BridgeArgentina’s teaching method helped the students quickly progress with their language improvement. Classes were dynamic and participation on the part of the students was integral to successful learning. “My observations indicated that the class size was perfect, the materials matched the levels of instruction, and methods were good though they varied (as can be expected) from one instructor to another.” Prof. Longwell, NMSU.

The cultural activities provided by Bridge allowed students to enhance their Argentine cultural experience and enabled students to venture out into the city, under the guidance of a Bridge professor. In this way, many students were able to experience life in a cosmopolitan metropolis in a foreign country, while maintaining the sense of security of being in a group.

Homestays provided the student with complete immersion in the language and the culture, allowing the student to continue speaking the language when class ends. Continued interaction with the host family extended learning beyond the classroom and provided opportunities to connect with the culture and people in ways that a class cannot.